Special Needs Transportation

Teen drives school bus after fight, causing crash

DREXEL HILL, Pa. — NBC 10Philadelphia reports that while a bus driver and an aide were breaking up a fight between two special-needs students and checking on one of the students, the other student involved in the fight ran to the front of the bus and began driving it.

Police told the news outlet that another bus driver noticed and drove in front of the bus to cut it off, causing both vehicles to collide.

None of the children aboard either bus was injured, police told the news outlet.

Comments ( 4 )

Chuck Paquette

| about 4 years ago

While this story has a better ending than it might have been, it is still a shame to even read it. I'm glad for the outcome, but I question the procedures, policies and protocols in place for handling such events on the bus. It's really simple: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SEAT WITHOUT YOUR KEYS!

Video reportedly shows that the Connecticut driver did not conduct a child check and left a 6-year-old alone on the bus. He is charged with risk of injury to a minor and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Kathleen Denton of Virginia started as a bus assistant in 1987 to spend more time with her children, including one with a developmental disorder. She soon realized she loved helping the other students, too.

Depending on what any final legislation stipulates, it could significantly impact the ability of students with disabilities and in poverty to receive necessary health services in public schools — and that impact could filter down to pupil transportation.